Curriculum Intent Statement for Art and Design
Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Primary School – Key Stage 1 and 2
At Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Primary School, Art and Design holds a vital place in nurturing creativity, self-expression, and cultural appreciation within our pupils, reflecting our mission of “Searching faithfully for excellence.” Rooted in our Gospel values of love, respect, stewardship, honesty, hope, justice, and forgiveness, our Art curriculum encourages pupils to explore and celebrate their individuality while fostering respect for diverse perspectives and artistic traditions. We believe that through engaging with drawing, painting, and clay, pupils develop not only technical skills but also confidence, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts, which enrich their personal and spiritual growth.
Key Aims
Our Art and Design curriculum aims to:
Our Art and Design curriculum aims to:
- Develop pupils’ foundational skills in drawing, painting, and clay work through clear, discrete teaching.
- Foster creativity and critical thinking by encouraging pupils to experiment with materials and express their ideas visually.
- Build pupils’ knowledge of artistic techniques and vocabulary, enabling them to talk confidently about their own work and that of others.
- Promote cross-curricular links.
- Ensure all pupils, including those with SEND, access a rich and inclusive curriculum that enables them to succeed and experience the joy of artistic creation.
Content and Skills
Throughout Key Stage 1 and 2, pupils will:
Throughout Key Stage 1 and 2, pupils will:
- Master key artistic skills, beginning with observational drawing, colour mixing, and basic clay modelling, progressing to more complex compositions, techniques, and three-dimensional forms.
- Learn to plan, draft, and evaluate their artwork, developing their ability to reflect on and improve their creative processes.
- Explore cultural and historical contexts of art to deepen their understanding of artistic expression across time and communities.
- Acquire subject-specific vocabulary and the ability to discuss art confidently, supporting their communication and literacy development.
Progression
Learning in Art and Design is carefully sequenced to build on prior knowledge and skills, ensuring pupils revisit and deepen their understanding over time. Early stages focus on developing fine motor skills, colour awareness, and simple forms, while later stages introduce more sophisticated techniques, critical analysis, and independent creative thinking. This progression supports pupils in constructing increasingly complex mental models of artistic concepts, preparing them for future artistic study and lifelong engagement with the arts.
Learning in Art and Design is carefully sequenced to build on prior knowledge and skills, ensuring pupils revisit and deepen their understanding over time. Early stages focus on developing fine motor skills, colour awareness, and simple forms, while later stages introduce more sophisticated techniques, critical analysis, and independent creative thinking. This progression supports pupils in constructing increasingly complex mental models of artistic concepts, preparing them for future artistic study and lifelong engagement with the arts.
Wider Impact
Art and Design at Our Lady and St Joseph’s contributes significantly to pupils’ holistic development. It nurtures creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving—qualities that underpin success in all areas of learning and life. Engagement with art promotes well-being and emotional expression, vital for many of our pupils, including those with social, emotional, and communication needs. By exploring diverse artistic traditions, pupils develop empathy, cultural awareness, and respect, aligning with our school’s commitment to justice and stewardship. Ultimately, our Art curriculum equips pupils with the skills, confidence, and curiosity to flourish as creative, thoughtful, and responsible citizens in their next stages of education and beyond.
Art and Design at Our Lady and St Joseph’s contributes significantly to pupils’ holistic development. It nurtures creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving—qualities that underpin success in all areas of learning and life. Engagement with art promotes well-being and emotional expression, vital for many of our pupils, including those with social, emotional, and communication needs. By exploring diverse artistic traditions, pupils develop empathy, cultural awareness, and respect, aligning with our school’s commitment to justice and stewardship. Ultimately, our Art curriculum equips pupils with the skills, confidence, and curiosity to flourish as creative, thoughtful, and responsible citizens in their next stages of education and beyond.